Better Know a Prospect: Indians

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the Indians' system, which is one of the deepest in the majors.

Matt LaPorta, OF: The 24-year-old LaPorta came over from the Brewers as the main piece in the CC Sabathia trade. One of the premier offensive prospects in the minors, LaPorta boasts a slugging percentage of .577 in 477 at-bats since Milwaukee selected him with the seventh pick in the 2007 draft. Prior to being traded, LaPorta was tearing up Double-A Huntsville, with a .288/.402/.576 line. He struggled in just 60 at-bats with the Indians' Double-A affiliate after the trade, but that's just a blip on an otherwise fantastic resume. The Indians currently have weaknesses at both of LaPorta's potential positions -- left field and first base -- on the big club, so his impact could be felt as early as this spring.

Adam Miller, RP: Miller has seemingly been in the Indians' system forever. Cleveland selected him in the first round of the 2003 draft. During his six years in the minors, the story has always been the same: fantastic when healthy, but unable to stay on the field for a sustained period of time. When he is healthy, though, the results are excellent. In 490 1/3 minor league innings he's struck out 475 hitters, walked just 149, and posted a 3.51 ERA. The Indians tried Miller as a reliever in the Dominican League this winter, and that looks like it will be his role at least for the near future. Cleveland has no shortage of arms in the bullpen, but Milller, with his lethal fastball-slider combo, could emerge as an important contributor in the coming season.

David Huff, SP: The back of the Indians' rotation contains all kinds of question marks, which makes a guy who posted a 2.52 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A in 2008 a very attractive option. Huff doesn't possess Miller's 98 mph fastball, or his lofty ceiling, but the UCLA product threw more innings last season (146 1/3) than Miller has in all but one year of his professional career. He also notched 143 strikeouts in those 26 starts (and one relief appearance), while walking just 29. Huff will compete with the likes of Jeremy Sowers, Anthony Reyes, and (don't laugh) Carl Pavano for a rotation spot this spring; Even if he doesn't break camp in the rotation, it'd be surprising if he isn't called up at some point in 2009.

For comprehensive coverage of the minor leagues, visit John Sickels at Minor League Ball and Baseball America. For minor league statistics, visit Baseball-Reference and Minor League Splits.